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The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, today (May 11) commended the Correctional Services Department (CSD) for its commitment to providing a secure, safe and humane environment for persons in custody.
He said he was impressed by the department's commitment to working with the public and other agencies to help inmates' rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Addressing the passing-out parade at the department's Staff Training Institute today, Mr Lee said, "The CSD is tasked with great missions and responsibilities. It plays an important role in ensuring public safety and enhancing the overall law and order situation of the community."
He said he was delighted to see more than 100 passing-out members who were prepared to rise to the challenges ahead after going through rigorous training over the past few months.
"In recent years, the CSD has implemented various measures to upgrade the correctional facilities and address the problem of overcrowding in some of the correctional institutions. Upon the completion of the redevelopment of Lo Wu Correctional Institution and the amalgamation of the former Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, the CSD has planned to seek funding approval from the Legislative Council to pursue the partial redevelopment of Tai Lam Centre for Women in order to increase the number of correctional places and enhance its facilities.
"We will continue to explore other redevelopment plans and improvement works, with a view to enhancing the correctional facilities and meeting the needs of rehabilitative work," Mr Lee said.
On rehabilitation work, Mr Lee said he was delighted to learn that the department had implemented the Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol for Offenders in recent years. Coupled with the matching rehabilitation programmes, the Protocol helps enhance assessment of the re-offending risks and rehabilitative needs of offenders in order to reduce their recidivism.
"The CSD has provided more diversified and market-oriented pre-release vocational training for persons in custody to help them acquire vocational skills, obtain recognised qualifications and develop good working habits, with a view to enhancing their employability upon release," he added.
"The CSD will continue to work with more than 80 non-governmental organisations and community organisations to enhance rehabilitative work and support for persons in custody.
"In addition, the CSD will continue to make proactive efforts to launch various public education and publicity activities to promote offender rehabilitation, appeal for community acceptance and support for rehabilitated persons, and encourage employers to offer more employment opportunities to rehabilitated persons."
Mr Lee said he hoped that passing-out members would uphold the values of the department, namely integrity, professionalism, humanity, discipline and perseverance, in discharging their duties and strive to serve the community with dedication and commitment.
The 20 Officers and 90 Assistant Officers II participating in the passing-out ceremony had completed demanding training over periods of 26 and 23 weeks respectively. Among them, a top Officer was awarded the Principal's Shield and three top Assistant Officers II were awarded the Golden Whistle.
Ends/Friday, May 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:03
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